“… 4, 3, 2, 1, 0!” As the final digit of the countdown appeared on the huge screen together with the video of a rocket launching, there was no holding back: loud screaming and wild stomping – the fully seated Audimax I seemed about to take off.
The enthusiasm of the young schoolchildren was palpable. It was the kick-off for the big space show by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), held at TU Hamburg. Over two days, there were several performances for Hamburg school classes as well as a large family show, for which all interested parties could register free of charge. In total, around 3,000 visitors came.
Soap Bubbles in the Spaceship
On stage, the audience watched astonishing experiments – for example, when huge rings of fog floated across the hall above their heads. They also saw how they trained for the flight into space together with the hosting team. Moreover, the children got to know the talking time machine “Holly” and explored exciting questions about space travel: Will there soon be hotels in space? When will the first human step on Mars? And how do soap bubbles actually behave aboard a spaceship?
Space as a Guest at TU Hamburg – a perfectly fitting location. Not least because of the local DLR_School_Labs. Nationwide, there are 17 of these DLR student laboratories where children and young people can conduct experiments themselves. But only at TU Hamburg is the DLR_School_Labs actually located on a university campus. From an early age, young people have the opportunity here to discover the world of research and technology.
The big stage show was only part of the event. Visitors experienced a comprehensive and diverse supporting program. Without prior knowledge, tech-interested youth could participate in a special workshop. Here, they learned the basics of programming and prepared a robot for a simulated Mars mission. And how to develop real space electronics that withstand the extreme conditions in space was revealed by TU professor Ulf Kulau during his session.
Space Satellites from Hamburg
Meanwhile, the “Hamburg Space Team” presented real, self-designed rockets as well as a satellite that is scheduled to fly into space in the coming years. In addition, there was information on how studying at TU Hamburg can pave the way for a career in space research.
The younger visitors had fun with the team of KinderForscher at TUHH, where experiments for hands-on participation and trying out were set up. Also present was the association “e-gnition Hamburg.” The university’s Formula Student team showcased its latest design: a self-built, electrically powered, and autonomously driving race car. Cutting-edge technology isn’t found only in space travel, after all.
